Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbia over Anchorage?

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,700/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $6,000/year in Columbia.

How do Anchorage and Columbia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Columbia

Columbia averages $3,700/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$17,000/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$9,800/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Alaska private school costs South Carolina private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.